Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, D810 Death and the Maiden [37:53]
String Quartet No. 12 in C minor, D703 Quartettsatz [8:57]
String Quartet No. 10 in E flat major, D87 [19:03]
String Trio in B flat major, D471 [7:24]
String Quintet in C major, D956 [46:09]
Vienna Philharmonic Quartet
Richard Harand (cello)
rec. Sofiensaal, Vienna, 29 October 1962 (12); 8-9 April 1963 (10, 14); 16-19
March 1964 (String Trio, String Quintet)
DECCA ELOQUENCE 480 4712 [66:07 + 53:41]
The Vienna Philharmonic Quartet featured here had a very interesting evolutionary
history. In 1939 Wolfgang Schneiderhan, who was concertmaster of the Vienna
State Opera and its independent concert-giving component the Philharmonic,
founded the Musikverein Quartet with leading members of both ensembles. War
broke out later that year and, as a consequence, this first group produced
very few recordings. In 1951, Schneiderhan left the quartet in pursuit of
a solo career. Walter Barylli, a new concertmaster, assumed the role of leader.
The Musikverein Quartet thus became known as the Barylli Quartet outside Vienna
when on tour. In 1960, after several personnel changes, Willi Boskovsky replaced
Barylli. Boskovsky was also concertmaster of the VSOO and VPO, and had previously
led a quartet bearing his surname. The quartet now became the Vienna Philharmonic
Quartet, and as a result of Boskovsky’s previous affiliation with Decca,
they commenced recording at the Sofiensaal, a venue noted for its fine acoustic.
This 2 CD set offers a very enticing programme in that it includes three of
Schubert’s most well-known and indeed most popular chamber works. CD
1 contains the String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, D810 Death and the Maiden
and the Quartettsatz D703. On CD 2 we have the String Quintet in C
major, D956, composed in the last prolifically creative year of his life.
The other two lesser-known works are the String Trio, D471, a one movement
piece, and the delightful, early E flat major Quartet, D87.
Tully Potter makes the point in his illuminating accompanying notes that these
recordings are of historical significance in that they afford the listener
‘the last gasp of a Viennese style of string playing in Schubert
which stemmed from before World War II’. To me, the features of
the Vienna Philharmonic Quartet’s style which are distinctive are the
sweet-toned delivery, with an emphasis on the lyrical aspects of the works.
Less stress is put on the darker undercurrents. Grace and charm is ever-present
and in abundance.
I found the Death and the Maiden Quartet the least successful of what
is here. Taking a more comfortable and soft-grained view, the gemütlich
approach renders the performance too cosy for my taste. The Alban Berg Quartet
(EMI CDC 747333) have more bite and drama in the declamatory opening passage
of the first movement. There is an underlying sense of urgency in what follows.
Similarly, the Belcea (EMI 967025) have a more dramatic take on events and
create a certain tension as they build up the excitement. In the second movement,
the Belcea imbue the opening theme with a greater sense of desolation, and
in the Scherzo they play with more bite and swagger.
The String Quintet fares somewhat better. The Sofiensaal offers a sympathetic
acoustic, and the Vienna Quartet render a performance which is warm and lyrical.
The Alban Berg (EMI CDC 470182) is more high-powered and large-scaled and
I preferred the more intimate reading. Yet, I still favour the Belcea, who
offer the benchmark in this work. Then there is the glorious recording by
the Hollywood String Quartet on Testament (SBT 1031) which I would not like
to be without. It is interesting to note from the CD booklet that the late
Sir Colin Davis liked this Vienna performance and chose it on his ‘Desert
Island Discs’.
The early E flat Quartet was written in 1813 and published posthumously. An
atmosphere of serenity permeates the work, and there is great thematic richness
throughout. Boskovsky’s rich mellifluous tone is beguiling and the performance
is heartfelt and captivating. Likewise in the Quartettsatz and the
one-movement String Trio. The same attributes of expressivity are present.
These are highly polished performances, lovingly captured. It is commendable
that they have been restored to circulation. They would make a pleasing addition
to any chamber music collection.
Stephen Greenbank
Masterwork Index: String quartets
10 & 12 ~~ Death and the Maiden
Quartet ~~ String Quintet
Capivating performances … a pleasing addition to any chamber music collection.
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